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Liberals support minimum wage increase, but call for further study, consultations

Posted by Keegan Wynychuk on September 29, 2017

Calgary, AB (September 29th, 2017): Alberta Liberal Leader David Khan released the following statement on the increase to the minimum wage:

“First, I want to make it abundantly clear that I support increasing the minimum wage in order to help those who are struggling with poverty. Despite holding full-time or multiple part-time jobs, many lower-income Albertans still have trouble making ends meet. This needs to change, and increasing the minimum wage is one tool that is available to the government.

“However, continual minimum wage increases will undoubtedly have consequences for small business owners, who are also facing increased costs from the carbon tax and CPP premium increases scheduled for 2019 onwards.

“The NDP government has ignored calls from Alberta Liberals for economic impact studies to examine the full range of consequences of the proposed minimum wage increases, as well as to identify alternative solutions that may help Alberta’s small businesses cope with these changes.

“By exploring the viability of more nuanced approaches to poverty reduction, such as earned-income tax credits and a basic income, we can balance creating a healthy climate for small business and combating poverty.

“While the NDP government has not committed to exploring other options, I can promise that Alberta Liberals will.